Prince William in Staffordshire

The first was for the completion of the 750,000 machine made by JCB. The Prince went to the company’s headquarters in Staffordshire, and was greeted by hundreds of cheering schoolchildren waving the Union Jack.

William then went inside and had a look around the plant. He had a chance to sit on the milestone machine and joked, “I won’t drive it away. This is my own personal one.”

The Prince had a chance to discuss the recession with the company leaders. He expressed sympathy for the employees, some of whom now have to work a four day schedule.

Later in the day, Prince William had a chance to remember two friends who were killed in the line of duty at the National Memorial Arboretum, also in Staffordshire.

Second Lieutenant Jo Dyer and Major Lex Roberts were both killed in action in 2007. William and Dyer were cadets at Sandhurst together, while Roberts was the Prince’s platoon commander.

William gave a short speech in support of the appeal aimed at raising a further Pounds eight million for the memorial.

2 Responses to Prince William in Staffordshire

I think it is wonderful that his royal heiness was in the midlands today. I once wrote a letter to his mother and had a very nice one back. The royals are good people and hopefully one day my husband and our children may meet them. William is a well groomed young man, as is his brother prince harry. Lets hope, one day, they may come to redditch.